An Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) is a civil order made against a person, as a result of persistent anti-social behaviour. The order bans a person from engaging in a specified form of anti-social behaviour, and/or bans them from entering a specified area. Breach of an ASBO can result in criminal penalties.

The definition of anti-social behaviour under the Act is wide-ranging. Cases of orders have included:

• Vandalism
• Abusive behaviour
• Harassment
• Flyposting (see Sony and Bertelsmann AG)

ASBOs, at present, only exist in England and Wales (Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003) and Northern Ireland (made under separate legislation).

As of 31 March 2004, 2455 ASBOs have been issued in England and Wales.

In a press release of 28 October 2004 [1] (http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page6532.asp), Tony Blair and David Blunkett announced further measures to extend the use and definition of ASBOs. The remit would include: extension of the witness protection programme in anti-social behaviour cases; an increase in the number of courts dealing with cases; an extension of the number of offences liable for fixed-penalty notices and giving parish councils the power to issue fixed penalty notices for infringements. The press release concluded by remarking:

"In the past year around 100,000 cases of anti social behaviour have been dealt with. 2,633 ASBOs and 418 dispersal orders have been issued in the same period."

External links

• Home Office overview of ASBOs (http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/asbos1.htm) (includes statistics)
• Examples of ASBOs issued (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3674430.stm)
• SchNEWS (http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news209.htm), a British weekly newsletter, has been covering ASBOs since April 1999